Apparatus for controlling temperatures.



PATENTED NOV. 27, 1906.

E. W. COMFORT. APPARATUSA POR OONTROLLING TEMPERATURES lllllllllll APPLICATION FILED JULY28. 1902.

N0. 837,260. PATENTED NOV. 27, 1906. E. W. COMFORT. APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING TEMPERATURES. APPLICATION FILED JULYzB. 1902.

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UNITED STATES CHICAGO OF CHIC EDWARD W. COMFORT, OF REGULATOR COMPANY, ILLINOIS.

PATENT OFFICE.

APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING TEMPERATURES.

. Application filed July 28. l

To all whom. it nutty concern: .l Be it known that I, EDWARD W. COMFORT,

a citizen of the United States, residingat Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Ap aratus for Controlling i Temperatures, of w tich the following is a full, clear, concise, and exact description. reference being had to the accompanying drawi ro ings, forming a partof this specification. My invention relates to a paratus for coni trolling temperatures in bui dings.

There is commonly employed in apparatus of this general type a fluid-pressure motor to lI5 directly actuate the dampers controlling the air-supply to the room w ose temperature is to be governed, a source of Huid-pressure. such i as a tank filled with compressed air, and a thermostat located in the said room and suiti ably connected with the source of supply' and the motor, so as to control the operation of l the latter in accordance with' the variations of temperature in the room. It is often de- L sira-ble to modify the action imparted by the thermostat to the controlling-valves, so as to i accelerate the same 0r so as to retard the l same, the first modification being soughtv in connection with those systems of heating@ where a quick action of dampers or valves is desired and the latter where a slow motion of l the dampers is preferred. l My invention contemplates the provision of means in connection with a thermostatic element for accomplishing the desired modification of the thermic action. This means i consists in so combining with a thermostatic element a tube having such a cross-section and form thatwhen subjected to changes in g pressure, either externally or internally api a transverse-movement is imparted to a portion thereof such that the motion imparted by the thermostat to the actuating parts of the device is suitably modified. The thermostaticr element preferably takes the form of a tube forming a hollow chamber, in which tube the said curved tube is located, the two parts cooperating in the control of the valve or valves within thethermostatic tube, so that the action thereof is controlled and modified. It will be understood, however,` that the devices may take other forms and be combined in other ways.

Specification of Letters Patent.

i usual "two-pipe l sectional view 'temperature regulation to Patented Nov. 27, 1906.

902. Serial No. 117.337.

The invention further contemplates so constructing and arranging the ap aratus thatbut one pipe or tube extends lbetween the thermostatic device in the room and the motor or other apparatus, thus effecting a considerable saving in installation over the systems, in which the thermostat is connected by two pipes with the other apparatus.

The invention, together with its further objects and advantages, 1s more fully disclosed in the detailed description and claims.

In the accompanying drawings, in which the same reference characters designate like parts throughout the several views, Figure 1 is a longitudinal section of a thermostatic device employing my invention. Fig. 1a is a of a modified arrangement for securing the block containing the seat for rod 30 to the fiexible tube 26. Fig. 2isacrosssection of the same on line 2 2 of Fig. 1. Fig.

I 3 is a longitudinal view of a slightly different arrangement of' the device. Fig. 4 is a like view of still a different form. Fig. 5 is a similar view of a fourth form. Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic view of my one-pipe system; and Fig. T is a similar view of the usual two-pipe system.

Referring rst to Fig. 7, 2 designates 'the room to be heated; 3, the register opening into the room 2: 4, the cold-air room or passage;

5, the hot-air room or passage heated by the steam-coils 6 or in other desired manner, and T the duct for the admission of the hot and cold air opening into the rooms through the grate 3. The air in the duct 7 is tempered or mixed cold air bythe dampers S and 9, suitably connected together. so that as one closes the other opens and operated bv the pressuremotor 10. which is controlledby the thermostatic device 1 1 ,zplaced in the room 2, a source of fluid-pressure 12 being also connected with the said device to furnish power for the operation of the motor 10.

As will be apparent from an inspection of the figures. it is not desirable in ordinary entirely close either the hot or cold air duct. forthat would throw the cold or hot air alone into the room. An intermediate position ofthe dampers, so as to suitably temper the air introduced into in the desired proportions of hot and IOC the room, is therefore ordinarily desired, and it is for this method of working that my invention is especially adapted.

Having reference to Figs. 1 and 2, 13 indicates a tube, preferably of hard rubber, but of any material responsive to temperature changes. A plug 14 is screwed into the lower end of the tube 13 and is provided with a port 15, connecting with a tube 16, leading to the motor, said tube having a leak 17 of smaller cross-section than the bore of the tube. A second port 18 is formed in the side of a projection 19, formed on the base of plug 14, said port connecting with pipe 20, leading from the pressure-tank, a suitable filter 21 being provided in the passage to said port and the ipes 16 and 20 being held in place by the piate 22 bearing upon flanges formed on Ithe pipes and by screw 23 or in any desired manner. A standard 24 is mounted upon said projection and hingedly supports, by means of the flexible spring 25, a hollow longitudinally-curved tube 26. This tube is lso constructed and of such a cross-section that when subjected to variations in pressure, either external'or internal, its longitudinal curvature is changed. Tubes of this character are in common use in connection with steam-gages, &c., and the structureand operation thereof are Well known in the art. Fig. 2 shows the preferred cross-section of the tube emplo ed in my device, though any other form capable of accomplishing the desired results may be emplo ed. A valve member 27 is carried by the ee end of said tube and serves to control the port 18. An anglepiece or lever 28 is secured to the tube 26, as by Wrapping Wire about the same, as shown at 29and soldering all to ether. The lower and pointed/end of the ro 30 bears on a seat in the angle-piece 28 and has at its upper end an enlargement, through which pass horizontal cross-arms 31 at right angles to y each other, which serve to keep the rod 30 centered. The upper end .of the rod 30 or a block carried thereby'is provided with a depression`,-into which fits the pointed end of an adjustable screw-pin 32, carried by the plug 33, fitting in the other end of tube 13 and bearing the ornamental cap 34.

When the tube 13 ,shortens in response to a decrease in temperature inthe room, the tendency is for the part 27 to close the port 1 8 but such closure reduces the pressure Within the tube, owing to the leak 17, whereupon the walls ofthe tube 26 strive to expand and regain their normall form, which tends to straighten the tube, thus acting in opposition to the thermostatic element to retard the action of arm 27 in closing the port 18. Conversely, whenthe temperature of the room rises andthe thermostat member lengthens, the tension of spring 2 5` tends to move valve 27 away from pgliit 18; but this causes a rise of pressure Wit the tube 1 3, thus collapsing the walls ofthe tube 26 and causing it to increase its curvature and tending to revent the outward movement Iof the-va ve, Whose action is thus again retarded. By this arrangement it will be noted that the tube 26 modifies the action of the arm 27 in opening and closing the port l8without affecting the movement of the thermostatic element, which is thereby permitted to move unim eded throughout its entire range-of travel) When the temperature changes. It will thus be notedthat during norma operation the part 27 assumes a position wherein a definite uantity of air is permitted to pass through .(tlhe ort 18 and escape to the atmosphere throug the leak 17 in the pipe 16. If the temperature increases, the tube 13 expands, permitting the part 27 to open the port 18, and this permits a greater quantity of air to escape through the port 18, and as this greater quantity of alr'cannot escape through the leak 17 With suflicient rapidity a quantity thereof passes to the motor-chamber through the pipe 1'6, thereby moving the diaphragm of the motor. The increased pressure in the pipe 16, caused by the admission of the in,- creasedv quantityT of air thereto and the inability thereof to escape with sufficient rapidity, causes an increase of pressure Within thev vtube 13. This pressure acts upon the Bourdon tube 26 and causes a movement ofthe part 27 in a direction which closes the port 18. This Bourdon tube thus constitutes -a reactive device, which serves to prevent the opening of the port 18 upon an increase of temperature except fora brief period. Likelwise a decrease of temperature causes the tube 13 to contract, and this moves the part 27 in a direction to close the port 18, thereby diminishing the quantity of air supplied to the ipe 16, and accordingly a quantity of air in t e motor-chamber escapes to the atmosphere through the leak-17, thereby causing a movement of the diaphragm of the mot'or in an opposite direction. This decreases the pressure in the tube 13, and the Bourdon tube reacts to move the part 27 in a direction to open the port 18. When, therefore, such a device is used in connection with the jsystem described with reference to Fig. 7, the desired gradual operation of the niotor and dampers is-secured, the pressure in the pipe 16 and the motor 10 being at all times regulated by the thermostatic device 11 and the operation of the motor in either direction being checked nearly as soon as started, causing the dampers 8 and 9 to maintain an intermediate position, whereby the airadmitted to the room is suitably tem ered.

Fig. 1a shows a modification in the method of providing a bearing-point for the rod 30 for the purpose of the actuation of the valvelever. In this modification a block of metal '28a is soldered directly to the upper side of the Wall of the flexible tube 26, and a seat is spring provided in the upper face of said block for l the pointed end of the rod 30. 1

Fig. 4 shows substantiallyv the same arl rangement as Fig. 1, except that the hollow i tube 26 is arranged for accelerating action, due to the tube 13, such an arrangement being desirable in some systems of temperature regulation-for example, in steam-heating plants-where it is desirable that the valves be quickly opened and quickly closed. i In this form of device the elbow-lever is flexibly mounted upon the spring 25, while i its opposite. end is bolted, riveted, or otheri wise secured to the tube 26, the rod 30 bearing in a seat in its upper side. 'hen, now, the temperature falls and the tube 13 shortens, the valve 27 moves toward and partially closes the port 18. This reduces the pressure within the tube 13, which causes tube 26 to tend to regain its normal form, thus decreasing its curvature and also tending to move arm 27 toward port 18, the two effects being `therefore added. The reverse acceleration also takes place, for when the tube 13 lengthens, th us moving arm 27 away from port 18, more air rushes in from t-he supplypipe, causing the pressure within the tube 13 to rise and causing the walls of the tube 26 to bend or flex, whereby its curvature is increased and arm 27 is moved away from the port, t-hus increasing the opening.

Fig. 3 shows a modification in which the outlet is formed through the flexible tube itself. The supply-pipe opens by port into the tube 13. The tube 36 is mounted on the projection formed on the plug`14 and is connected with the pipe 16. The bent portion of the tubeis of irregular cross-section with fiexible walls, as before described, and aV port 39 is formed in its end. The valvelever 39JI has its short arm secured by the 25 to the post 38, secured to the upper part of the straight rigid portion of the tube 36. The pin 30 bears upon the valve-lever, as shown. When the tube contracts, the end of the long arm of the valve-lever is moved toward the port 39. The closing` of this port causes the pressure within tube 13 to rise, thus collapsing the walls of the bent portion of the tube 36, causing it to curve still more, which moves the port 39 away from the lever 39a, whereby the closing of the port is retarded. Then the tube 13 expands, the` action is likewise retarded` It is apparent that by supporting the valve-lever on the opposite side of t-he center o f the tube on a separate post a corresponding quickaction is obtained.

Fig. 5 shows the a plicatlon of this device to a double-valve t ermostat in which the leak 17 is not employed, the connections being arranged to give slow motion to the valves. In this form the same valve mechanism for the inlet-port 18 as in Fig. 1 is provided, and a similar mechanism is furi nished for the outlet-port 47, except that the valve-lever is fulcrumed upon a stronger spring 44, carried by post 43, than the s ring 25, carried by post 24. A tube 48, sim ar to tube 26, is provided and carries the valve 42. A lever 46 bears upon the valve-levers 28 and 45, as shown, and is itself acted upon `by rod 30. 'hen the tube 13 contractswith cold, the lever 46 first actuates valve-lever 27, owing to its weaker spring, to close port 188. The valve-arm 42 then begins to open the port 47 to the atmosphere, which immediately reduces the pressure within the tube 13, which reduced pressure tends t-o straighten tubes 26 and 48, so that the opening of the port 47 is retarded and the dampers are operated with a slow motion. -In the reverse operation the lever 42 first closes before port 18 begins to open. As soon as the air rushes in through port -18 the tubes 26 and/48 are collapsed and tend to curve more, and thus retard the opening of the port 18.

In Fig. 6 I have shown the one pige system before referred to. In this case t e source of supply 12 is connected directly with the motor 1() by means of pipes 2O and 16. From an intermediate point of said connection the single pipe 16a leads to the thermostat 11, which, asl before described, is placed in the room 2 the tem erature of which is to be controlled. In t e pipe 20, between the branch leading to the thermostat and the source of supply, a restricted passage 20a is provided, said passage, as shown, consisting merely 'of a reduction in diameter of the pipe 20; but it is apparent that any other means for producing the restricted passage may be employed-as, for instance, an adjustable valve. Vith this arrangement the pipe 16a isl connected directly with the interior of the thermostatic tube 13, as, for instance, with the port 40 in Fig. 3 or the port 15 in Fig. 4-while the other opening, which is controlled by the valve, opens directlyT to the at-mosphere.

The operation of the apparatus when arranged in this manner is as follows: Considering first the arrangement shown in Flg. 3, when the telnperature in the room exceeds the desired limit the tube 13 of the thermostat is ex anded and permits the valvelever to open t e outlet-port 39.- This will permit the air in the motor, in the pipes 16 and 16@L and in the tube 13 to escape faster than it can be supplied through the restricted passage'20a, so that the motor will operate 1n a suitable direction per and close the hot-air damper. The reduction of the pressure within the tube 13, however, permits the flexible tube 36 to exf pand and reassume its normal form, which tends to straighten the same, and thereby to close port 39, which action serves to retard and check the movement of the motor, so that the dampers will assume an intermediate po- IOC TIO

to open the cold-air damsition; Likewise when the temperature of the room cools the tube 13 contracts, causing the valve-lever to tend to close the port 39, Which'causes the pressure in the pipes 16 and 16t1 and in the tube 13 to increase, and

-' therefore to operate the motor in the proper lever tends to open the port 18, but the decrease of pressure in the tube 13 tends to straighten the tube 26 and to close the port 18. The reverse action takesY place when the tube 13 contracts, the valve-lever tendpense of installation. .3o

ing then to close port 18, While the increased pressure tends t'o prevent/closm the same. t Will thus be seen that With t e one-pipe system I obtain the same action as in the two-pipe system shown in Fig. 7 and previously described, the one-pipe system resulting in a considerable saving in the eX- sage 20a Will of course be adjusted to suit the varying conditions of use.

Ifit is desired to use. the onepipe method to accelerate the action of the heatsupply, it is only necessary to reverse the connections to the thermostat, so as to bring thelair into the thermostat throu h the open connection and have it escape t ough the port controlled by the valve. This reverses the action of the valve, accelerating it instead of retarding it.

It Will therefore be seen that this device comprises a perfect pressure-reducer, and While a movement of the parts has been referred to as taking place it is evident that such conditions and variations of temperature may occur that the functions of the device are continually exercised in keeping the .dampers stationary.

While I have spoken of a valve in the claims, it will be understood that not only is a single valve cpntemplated, but also any v valve combination or valve mechanism servin to accomplish substantiallysimilar resu ts.

Wholly within said chamber and responsive The restricted pas# to the variations of pressure therein, the operation of said valve mechanism being controlled by the conjoint action of said part and said thermostatic element.

2. The combination With a thermostat and an associated chamber within which variations of pressureA take place, of a suitable valve mechanism actuated by the thermostat, and a curved tube Within said chamber responsive tothe chan es of pressure therein to vary its longitudina curvature, said tube being arranged to modify the action of said thermostat upon said valve mechanism, substantially as described.

3. The combination with a thermostatic element constituting a hollow chamber in which the pressure varies, of a part subjected to the variations of -pressure Within said chamber and responsive tio said variations, a valve mechanism actuated by the said thermostatic element, and means for causing said part, to modify the action of said` thermostatic element upon said valve mechanism.

4. The combination With a thermostat constituting'a hollowr chamber in which the pressure varies, of a curved bent tube subjected to the variations'in pressure in said thermostatic chamber and responsive to said variations to change its longitudinal curvature, and avalve actuated by the thermostat, said curved bent tube serving to modify the action of said thermostat upon said valve. f

5. The combination with a thermostatic tube in which the pressure varies, of a suitable valve operated thereby, and a curved tube subjected to chan es in pressure in said thermostatic tube an responsive to said changes to vary its longitudinal curvature, said curved tube being arranged to modify the action imparted to said valve by the thermostatic tube.

6. The combination With a thermostatic tube forming a hollow chamber in which the pressure varies and havin a port-opening IOO IIO

therein, of a valve control ng said port, a

curved tube responsive to variations in pressure to vary its longitudinal curvature .lo-

cated Within said thermostatic tube, said curved tube serving to modify the movement imparted to the valve by the thermostatic tube.

7. The combination with a thermostatic tube forming a hollow chamber in Which the pressure varies, said chamber having a port or opening therein, of a valve for said port operated by said thermostatic tube, a curved tube located Within said thermostatic tube, subjected to the changes in pressure therein and responsive to said changes to effect its longitudinal curvature and connecting with the valve mechanism so as to retard the action imparted to the valve by the thermostatic tube.

`controlling the escape of fluid from saidmotor, and a reactive device serving to govern the operation of said valve mechanism to cause a gradual movement of the apparatus controlled by the motor.

9. In an apparatus for controlling temperature, the combination with a source of Huidpressure, of a motor actuated thereby and controlling suitable apparatus, an inlet-pipe extending directly between said source of fluid-pressure and said motor, a pipe extend-` ing from said motor to a thermostat, a valve mechanism actuated by said thermostat and controlling the exit from said motor, and a reactive device serving to govern the operation of -said valve mechanism to cause a gradual movement of the apparatus controlled by the motor, said inlet-pipe having at one point a cross-section of less area than the exit from the motor.

10. In an apparatus for controllin temperature, the combination with a flui -pressure motor, of a source of fluid-supply connected directly with said motor, a thermostat, a valve mechanismcontrolled by said thermostat, means responsive to the variations in fluid-pressure for modifying the movement of said valve mechanism without aiecting the movement of said thermostat, and a single pipeconnecting said valve mechanism with the other ap aratus.

11. Inan apparatus or controllin temperature, the combination with a Hui -pressure motor, of a source of supply to furnish power for the motor, a thermostat, a valve actuated by said thermostat, means responsive to the variations in Huid-pressure for modifying the movement of said valve without affecting the movement of said thermostat, and a single tube or pipe connecting the other apparatus with said valve, the connection between the source of supply and the motor having at one point a cross-section of less area than the opening to the chamber controlled by said thermostat.

12. The combination with a thermostatic tube forming a hollow chamber in which the pressure varies, of a valve controlled by said tube, a connecting-rod for connecting said tube and said valve, means for guiding said rod, and a part responsive to changes in fluidpressure insaid tube to modify the action imparted to the valve by the thermostatic tube.

13. The combination with a thermostatic tube forming a hollow chamber in which the pressure varies, of a valve controlled by said tube, a connecting-rod for connectingsaid tube and said valve, means for guiding said rod, and a part responsive to the changes in Huid-pressure in said tube to retard the action imparted to the valve by the thermostatic tube.

14. The combination with a heat-responsive element and an associated chamber, of a valve mechanism governed thereby, a luidpressure supply, said valve mechanism controlling the pressure in said chamber from said fluid-supply, and means responsive to changes of Huid-pressure in said chamber for modifying the action of said valve mechanism without aecting the heat-responsive element.

15. The combination with a thermostatic element constituting a hollow chamber, of a valve mechanism controlled thereby, a Huidpressure supplysaid valve mechanism controlling the pressure within said chamber from said fluid-supply, and means located within said chamber and responsive to the'` variations in fluid-pressure therein for modifying the action of said valve mechanism without aiiecting the movement of said thermostatic element.

16. The combination with a thermostatic element having an associated chamber, of a valve actuated by said thermostatic element, a fluid-pressure supply, said valve controlling the pressure in sa1d chamber from said Huidsupply, and a sealed bent tube within said chamber responsive to changes of pressure in the chamber, said sealed bent tube serving to modify the action of said valve without affecting the movement of said thermostatic element.

17. The combination with a suitable source of uid under pressure, of a motor actuated thereby and connected with a suitable valve, damper or like part, a thermostatically-actuated valve for controlling the fluidpressure in the motor, and a reactive device for modifying the movement of said thermostatically-actuated valve to produce a gradual movement of thegvalve, damper or like part, said reactive device being constructed and arranged to permit the thermostatic element to move unimpeded throughout its entire range in response to temperature changes.

In witness whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name in the presence of two witnesses.

EDWARD W. COMFORT. Witnesses C. B. CAMP, W. CLYDE JONES.

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